This one is for all you sweet high schoolers that are getting ready to come to college!!! Your time to be (semi) independent is here and I know you are so excited! But there are some things that you need to know before you run out on mom and dad!

1. Learn how to cook.

Now I'm not saying you have to go to culinary school and learn how to throw together a five course meal. If you want to do that, go you but it is by no means necessary. You really just need to know the basics like how to make ramen noodles, mac and cheese, how to bake chicken, etc. Cause lets be real, we're poor college kids now and we don't have the money to eat fancy.

2. Learn how to clean....everything.

I hope you already know how to sweep and do your dishes without a dishwasher handy, but if you don't...learn now. But you also need to learn how to clean showers and toilets and kitchens. Know how to vacuum and mop and dust. If you live in filth it will make you sick and sad and we don't want that.

3. Know how to talk on the phone.

Mom isn't around to make all your phone calls for you anymore. You need to know how to be formal and polite and how to enunciate your words so the other person can understand what you're saying. You need to learn how to make your own appointments and call in take out.

You might have to call the financial aid office, your teachers, or a place you're trying to get a job and you'll have to impress them without seeing them face-to-face. Better to learn this now than trying to figure it out when it comes time to do it.

4. Learn how to shop responsibly.

This can apply to grocery shopping or any other kind of shopping. First (and most important) lesson: don't spend money you don't have and don't buy things you can't afford. Paying the bills and eating come first and everything else is second. So with that in mind don't go to the grocery store and waste your money on all junk and get home with nothing to eat.

Also try and grocery shop after you have eaten so that way you won't buy a lot of extra things that you don't need (or want really). And for everything else: look for deals and sales for the things that you need and don't buy things that you don't need. Hit up the local thrift store, you might be shocked by the things you can find in there. Just be money smart, okay?

5. Know how to do your laundry.

I think that this one is pretty self explanatory. You don't need to be wearing some nasty, dirty, stinky clothes around. First, because that's just gross and not good hygiene. Second, because one day you might need one of those teachers to give you a recommendation and who wants to recommend someone who doesn't wear clean clothes? And third, if you want to find someone to date you might want to look presentable when you meet them.

6. Learn how to stand up for yourself.

No one is going to be around to protect you anymore so you have to learn to do it yourself. Know your rights and know the laws. Some things that you wouldn't think would be illegal are, and some laws that you don't think cops will enforce, will be enforced by harsh cops.
People, and sometimes even teachers, will bully you and trust me you don't want your mommy or daddy to come and help you fix it, that will only make it worse.

You have to learn how to take care of these problems in effective and professional ways.
Ladies, this is for you especially: you need to know how to protect yourselves against an attacker. Take a self-defense class or read tips on how to effectively get away from an attacker. Also, make sure to never accept drinks from a stranger, don't go out late at night alone, and don't count on other people to take care of you/keep an eye for you.

Boys: these same tips can also apply to you, especially the one about accepting drinks from people you don't know. Also be weary of online dating such as Tinder. If you choose to use sites/apps make sure that if you meet them you do so in a public place and let someone know where you will be and what time you expect to be home.

It's sad we have to think about things like this but it's just the truth of our world guys.
Just remember how great you are and stand up for that. Don't let people push you around, ever.

7. Know which stores/restaurants offer student discounts in your area.

Listen, every little bit helps and that is a fact you will come to know very soon. Various restaurants and stores offer students discounts if you show them your students ID. You can google and find places that offer it and then just call your local store to make sure they participate.